Social book recommendations– News and trending updates blog from the folks at BookVibe

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This past Thursday, our correspondents at BookVibe were lucky enough to catch an event at Book Passage—a charming book shop in the San Francisco Ferry Building—featuring Melissa Davis and Kristen Loken, the masterminds behind This is Oakland: A Guide to the City’s Most Interesting Places.

This photo-driven travel guide and book delves into the city’s most fascinating places to visit—ranging from boutiques and markets to cafes and restaurants—dispelling the myth that Oakland is crime-riddled and not worth visiting.

As we sat waiting for the authors to arrive, thumbing excitedly through our copy of This is Oakland (which, on top of being an excellent source of great fun, makes for a beautiful coffee table book), we were informed that the “reading” would be more of an intimate chat with the authors without the usual rigid seating and lengthy reading followed by Q&A – a decision we applauded heartily!

Both ladies turned out to be extremely lovely. Davis, a former editor at Harper’s Bazaar and Mademoiselle magazines and owner of a PR firm and Loken, a renowned photographer, were charismatic and open to any and all questions.

You could tell that they are passionate about the city by the way they talked, their words loaded with enthusiasm, eyes sparkling and hands gesticulating like fireworks. And that’s what’s so great about them—their passion and commitment to get the word out that Oakland is one of the most unique places in the world (Oakland, CA ranked #5 on The New York Times “The 45 Places to Go in 2012,” beating out New York City and Los Angeles), despite their busy schedules.

In fact, to get a full idea of just how much these ladies juggled, the process of creating This is Oakland took precisely a year—loaded with excursions to 90+ businesses, scheduled interviews and photo shoots, etc.—and was self-published to boot.

If that’s not love, then we don’t know what is. And It is precisely this love that inspired us to go on a little adventure.

The next day, with the book firmly tucked under our arms, we set off to one of Oakland’s hottest destinations, Temescal. Although the book features different sections of Oakland including Downtown and Jack London Square, we were curious to explore Temescal Alley, where a row of the city’s most innovative and talked-about shops took the place of former horse stables.

We chose to try the Naughty Cream (because let’s face it, it’s the most interesting-sounding one) and our taste buds floated up to heaven. The crème-fraiche vanilla bean pastry cream made the entire trip worth it—and we had only just started!

Next, we traveled a few steps to Esqueleto, a dreamy, rustic space that features large assortments of one-of-a-kind jewelry and local art.

Of course, we had to visit Book / Shop, where literary rarities ranging from $10 – $500 were on sale.

As we rounded the corner, the full row comes into view, and it’s small and incredibly charming—we could picture the municipal stables that used to make up the alleyway, loaded with horses that pulled the streetcars down Telegraph Avenue.

At Crimson Horticultural Rarities, we had a ball selecting the most beautiful pieces of floral and garden décor.

Temescal Alley Barbershop, where we’d get our beards trimmed—if we had them.

At Walrus, where ridiculously nifty home décor items are sold—including this awesome, confidence-inducing print.

And last but not least—Homeroom. What can we possibly say about Homeroom? Their deliciously cheesy, impossibly creamy and perfectly cooked mac n cheese dishes are simply a must-try.

We ordered the Garlic Gilroy mac n cheese. Best decision ever.

We had so much fun throughout our outing and would have never discovered Temescal if it weren’t for This is Oakland. On a parting note, we’re very much looking forward to discovering the rest of what Oakland has to offer!

If you’ve been thinking about how to raise a smarter child, then now is the best time to gear up with the necessary tools.

We’ve partnered up with Smart Coos—a web-based language learning community for babies and children, from ages 0 to 8 and their parents—to bring you the most mentioned parenting books from the Twitterverse. Don’t simply aim for brilliance—shoot for the whole package: intelligent, well-rounded, and happy children.

The title says it all. Tough based his New York Times bestseller on the work of Nobel laureate James Heckman, expanding on the philosophy that psychological traits among children— such as resilience, curiosity, and confidence— play a monumental part in their happiness and success.

While in the process of growing up, the high-stakes and competitive culture that is exposed to children can be taxing. The pressure to achieve the top grades and shiniest trophies is high—which is why psychologist Madeline Levine, armed with thirty years of clinical experience, has provided parents with a toolbox to help clarify a definition of success that caters to their values as well as their children’s interests and abilities.

Complete with coping exercises and a trove of relevant research, Teach Your Children Well is an essential read for parents who are looking to better their kids and nudge (not push or shove) them on the pathway to success.

Look ahead and out of the box as Time magazine journalist Amanda Ripley takes you through the lives of three American students, each studying abroad for a year.

Ripley claims that although “wealth had made rigor optional” in the American education system, kids these days need to be “driven” and “know how to adapt.” Discover the passionate students of Finland, the “rigor on steroids” attitude in South Korea (students would wear small pillows over their wrists, should they fall asleep on their desks), and Poland, a country that is known for their international test-score rankings.

Speaking of innovative learning techniques, don’t forget to check out Smart Coos– from baby sign language, to an interactive language program and live tutoring sessions with a French, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, or English native speaker, they’ve got your kids covered.

If any of these books interest you, don’t miss our full list of parenting books!

It would be nice to get book recs on how to break into the tech industry from Silicon Valley experts— but there are so many books out there, where should you start? At BookVibe we recorded the votes of the 80 million Twitter users who tweeted about a book last year to figure it out.

We’ve created this definitive list using our unique technology that reads tweets and identifies when books are discussed. Its impressive accuracy, even when dealing with books with common titles, ensures that the list reflects public opinion closely. Recently, for instance, we’ve noticed a surge in discussions about start-up and career improvement books—a sure sign that 2015 is the year to get involved with a cool new company.

This year’s list features new books from people at the cutting edge of their field, as well as books that have stood the test of time—an eclectic collection with one theme in common – they can all help you to land and keep the job of your dreams.

This list isn’t restricted to contemporary works —Walter Isaacson’s The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution throws it back to legendary greats ranging from Ada Lovelace and Vannevar Bush, to John von Neumann and Alan Turing. Isaacson hones in on the timeless skills that made them successful—in particular their ability to collaborate with others—while Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich (released during the Great Depression and famously credited for Ken Norton’s boxing upset of Muhammad Ali in 1973) continues to stun with its ageless methods that help people achieve success in all lines of work.

Since the winners of the Costa Book Awards—a set of annual literary awards recognizing books by writers based in Britain and Ireland—were announced, there has been a lot of excited hullabaloo on Twitter.

The Costa Book Awards are split into five categories: Novel, First novel, Children’s book, Poetry, and Biography. One of the winning books will then go on to be named Costa Book of the Year, the ultimate prize.

So what have Tweeters been saying about these books? We scanned thousands of tweets that BookVibe.com picked out to bring you some highlights!

Heartbreaking and hilarious, H is for Hawk is an account of Macdonald’s time raising Mable, a fierce and deadly hawk. After the death of her father, Macdonald finds that she can relate to the vicious goshawk’s anger and attempts to project herself “in the hawk’s wild mind to tame her.”

Helen Macdonald's H Is for Hawk is unlike any other book I've ever read before. Truly wonderful.

A stunning debut, Elizabeth is Missing chronicles the story of Maud, who doesn’t remember most things. From drinking her tea, to recalling her daughter’s name, Maud forgets almost everything except the note in her pocket that says her friend Elizabeth is missing.

No matter how many times Maud’s family and friends ask her to drop the subject, she refuses and is absolutely determined to get to the bottom of a seventy-year-old mystery.

Finished #ElizabethIsMissing today. Hauntingly beautiful. Can't recommend it highly enough. It now takes place as one of my favourite books.

Like a brilliantly colorful painting, How to be both features two interconnected stories that almost read like poetry. The lives of a girl named George and another named Francesco, along with their struggles with sexuality are mapped and plotted out in an unconventional fictional form.

Reading Ali Smith's How to be Both on the bus to work is so irrepressible and energising, like filling my mind with tiny oxygen bubbles.

A heart-wrenching follow-up to E. Nesbit’s Five Children andIt stories, the elusive Sand Fairy has suddenly returned after a decade. The now grown children—Robert, Anthea, Cyril, Jane and Lamb—are happy to have something to take their minds off the war, but this time the Psammead is here for a more serious purpose.

Have you read any of these books? Do agree with the judges of the Costa Awards? Drop us a comment and let us know!

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg possesses a healthy love for many things, including but not limited to: studying Mandarin, fried chicken pizza, and New Year’s resolutions.

In fact, he takes his New Year’s resolutions so seriously that he asked members of the Facebook community to contribute suggestions for his personal goals this year. Over 50,000 users answered, and the overwhelming consensus is that Zuckerberg should “read a new book every other week—with an emphasis on learning about different cultures, beliefs, histories, and technologies.”

And that is how the Mark Zuckerberg book club was born, aka “A Year of Books,” a group page on Facebook.

Zuckerberg’s first book selection—The End of Power by Moises Naim— caused sales to skyrocket.

So what will his next picks be? Since Zuckerberg took Facebook users’ suggestions seriously, it’d only make sense that he’d do the same with their book recommendations—which is why we’ve scoured Facebook’s Twitter network to see which books Facebookers are raving about.

We decided to highlight the selections of current and former Facebook employees:

What if words can be used as weapons? At an exclusive school in Virginia, students aren’t taught history or math—they’re taught to persuade. The very top of the class consists of master wordsmiths, known as “poets,” who are part of a nameless organization of unknown purpose.

When gifted Emily Ruff is recruited and drawn to their strange world, she learns that nobody is safe: every person can be classified by personality type, his mind unlocked by the skillful application of words.

A brilliant thriller, Lexicon explores the themes of identity and the power of language and coercion.

American history takes an exciting turn during the end of the 60’s, the “golden age” airplane hijackings. These incidents—most times involving guns, bombs, and jars of acid—would occur sometimes as much as once a week, the disillusioned desperate to escape (mostly to Cuba).

The book examines the causes of the epidemic and follows the more famous cases (about 160 in total), including the story of the longest-distance skyjacking in U.S. history involving a young couple that took control of Western Airlines Flight 701 in 1972.

The belief that “the whole is sometimes smarter than the sum of its part,” is media theorist Steven Johnson’s basis for Emergence. He asks questions such as, “Why do people cluster together in neighborhoods?” “How do internet communities spring up from nowhere?” “What causes a media frenzy?”

The answer to these questions is emergence: change that occurs from the bottom up. When enough individual elements interact, the result is collective intelligence, even though no one is in charge. Change the way you see the world with this phenomenon that exists at every level of experience.

Dive into the world of Paul Rand, one of the most influential graphic designers of the twentieth century. From his iconic logo designs for IBM, UPS, and the ABC television network, to his prolific poster and magazine work, Rand is not only revered as an educator, but also for his insight and humor.

This book chronicles Rand’s last interview one year before his death, a tour de force that touches on varied topics ranging from design philosophy to design education.

What books do you think Mark Zuckerberg should add onto his list of must-reads? Drop us a comment and let us know!

This time with the Top Trending books from July through December. From war heroes and tween megastars, to popular bloggers and gut-busting comedians, the past six months have brought together an eclectic mix of books that bring the term “variety” to a whole new level.

Our year’s end review was garnered through careful analysis of millions of tweets, with the trending books serving as a reflection of the current events at the time.

Although the biography on World War II hero and former Olympic track star Louis Zamperini is critically acclaimed for its message of perseverance and survival, it was Zamperini’s death on July 2nd at the age of 97 that set Twitter book discussions on fire.

J.D. Salinger’sThe Catcher in the Rye was also a hot topic of discussion, as the beloved novel celebrated its 60th anniversary on July 16th.

August

August was all about books of the YA variety.

Even though both Disney starlet Bella Thorne and YouTube darling Alfie Deyes had books that were yet to be released, the Twittersphere was already alight with excited buzz.

Famous YouTuber Zoella broke the record for highest first week sales for a debut author since records began with her book, GirlOnline. The subsequent backlash for her use of a ghostwriter only fueled more discussions on Twitter.

December

The last month of the year came with many film adaptations that were released just in time for the holidays (and awards season, with all three movies vying for Oscar voters’ attention).

And that’s a wrap! We hope you enjoyed the list we put together—we (literally) couldn’t have done it without you. Have you read any of these novels? Which were your favorites of the year? Drop a comment and let us know!

With the year coming to a close, we’re getting a tad nostalgic. It’s been a great 12 months for our Top Trending (most tweeted about) books, with wonderful surprises and a flurry of different genres and adventures that have made 2014 anything but boring.

Fancy going back in time for a bit? Strap yourself in for a ride through the first six months in review:

January

Seems like tweeters were feeling a bit reminiscent at the beginning of the year, bringing #tbt to a whole new level with many mentions of Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms (1929).

Be sure to read "A Farewell To Arms" for the cOlbert Book Club tomorrow. Or at least watch the movie version, "127 Hours."

You would think that the month of Valentine’s Day would yield tons of mentions of sappy love stories, written by the likes of Nicholas Sparks or Nora Roberts—but tweeters surprised us with their cravings for dark and twisted paranormal romances, ranging from historical horror love stories to sexy demons.

The sunny month of June was all doom and gloom, with a fixation on horror and mystery novels. All three featured books were released during this month, which propelled readers to seek out similar books.

It’s nearing the end of December and we’re super excited to see which books the top trending right before Christmas. If you’re wondering which books will make great gifts for loved ones, then fret no more—the following list will hopefully help you make a decision or two.

Seems like tweeters are throwing it way back with John Steinbeck’s East of Eden—and who can blame them? This epic, sprawling tale documents the intertwining fates between two families, the Trasks and Hamiltons, as they reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the rivalry between Cain and Abel. Encounter mesmerizing characters and explore themes ranging from the inexplicability of love to the struggle for identity.

Steinbeck isn’t the only influential author on the list—Thomas Pynchon has also made it with Inherent Vice, a psychedelic powerhouse with an exciting plot that will toss you back to the marijuana haze-filled sixties. When Doc Sportello—an out of sorts private eye with a penchant for trouble—receives a visit from his ex-girlfriend with a story about a plot to kidnap a billionaire land developer who she’s in love with, things get complicated—and very groovy.

Speaking of the sixties, Daring: My Passages chronicles the life of Gail Sheehy when she was an innovative “girl” journalist in New York City. The author of the classic New York Times bestseller Passages writes a candid memoir that hones in on the obstacles and opportunities encountered when she dared to blaze a trail in a “man’s world,” and details many of her more controversial assignments: From walking the streets with hookers and pimps to expose prostitution, to seeking out Egypt’s president Anwar Sadat when he was targeted for death, Sheehy will have you perpetually on the edge of your seat.

Serious books aside, light up the holidays with Austin Mahone’s Just How It Happened: My Official Story. See how Mahone went from being a small town kid having fun on YouTube to now headlining shows around the world. For the diehard fan, get lost in exclusive photos and stories from his childhood.

Check out the rest of this week’s Top Trending list here. And before you sign off, drop us a comment to let us know which books you’re hoping to get for the holidays!

Nicky Hilton may be relatively unknown when it comes to gossip sites and the tabloids (unlike her younger sister), but she is no stranger in the fashion world, where she has earned her reputation as a style icon. In 365 Style, Nicky not only talks about her red carpet and runway experiences, but also shares her formula for creating your own signature style. Her best-kept style secrets—everything from your five must-have wardrobe items, to the $30 wardrobe item you can’t live without—will help you look like a million bucks (without dropping six figures).

It’s almost impossible to walk around the streets without seeing at least one person toting a bag or wearing flats from designer Tory Burch. So just who is this amazing fashionista who’s listed as the 79th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes (with a net worth of approximately a billion dollars)? Simply flip through Burch’s book, In Color, and obtain an in-depth look at the people, places, and ideas that inspire her. Catch rare glimpses of Burch’s personal life, pore over her favorite artistic works, and take away some valuable business advice.

Is your makeup routine getting a little boring? Is your hairstyle bringing to mind “flat,” instead of “fabulous”? Well have no fear—because rock n’ roll hair stylist and makeup artist Louise Teasdale is here! If you’ve heard of mega-popular boy band One Direction, you’ll know that she’s responsible for their slick coifs. Let her work her glittery magic on you with The Craft: DIY Hair and Beauty. With twenty-five fashionable projects for you to do at home, The Craft features everything from tutorials on how to achieve the perfect liquid eyeliner flick, to guides on choosing the proper moisturizers.

You know how they say shoes can make or break an outfit? Well, it’s true. And nobody knows that better than shoe designer extraordinaire Christian Louboutin. His exquisite self-titled monograph highlights the range of his couture and includes a five-piece foldout binding and a pop-up. With six chapters to fawn over, learn about Louboutin’s early life, the inspiration behind his exotic designs, and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at his studios and workshops.

Do you have a favorite Fashion / Beauty book you’d like to recommend? Drop a comment and let us know! Check out the full list of stylish books here.

It’s December, the best month to curl beside your cozy fireplace while sipping on a mug of frothy hot chocolate—with a great book by your side, of course!

This week’s Top Trending books are magical, mysterious, and mesmerizing—delve into a wild world of beasts, detectives, and unforgettable heroines.

Bouncing in at number two is J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. We’re sure that as you’ve read through the Harry Potter series, a few questions will have popped up—like where does the Quintaped live, for example? Or those adorable purplish-pink Puffskeins, what do they eat? A copy of this book is a necessity in every wizarding household, but now Muggles can join in on the fun, too!

When Mrs. Quine’s novelist husband goes missing, her first thought was that he was up to his usual fun and games—that he had gone off by himself for a few days as he used to do before. But when he doesn’t return home, she calls in private detective Cormoran Strike, who quickly realizes that there’s much more to Quine’s disappearance than his wife realizes. The novelist had just finished a manuscript featuring life-ruining pen-portraits of everyone he knows—meaning there are a lot of people who might want Quine silenced. The Silkworm is tantalizingly suspenseful and just happens to be written by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling’s penname).

In John Green’s Finding Alaska, silence and safety is all that comes to Miles Pudge Halter’s mind when he thinks about life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and he’s determined to change that. When Miles goes off to Culver Creek Boarding School for a change in scenery, he meets the gorgeous and unforgettable Alaska Young, who embodies everything he wants his life to be: dangerous, unpredictable, a little screwed up, and utterly fascinating.

Get wrapped up in the fascinating world of the cyberpunk genre in William Gibson’s Neuromancer. The winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Philip K. Dick Awards, this novel—about a washed-up computer hacker hired by a mysterious employer to pull off the ultimate hack— exploded onto the science fiction scene in the 80’s. In fact, only one science fiction masterpiece is to thank for the term “cyberpunk”—a subgenre of sci-fi in a near-future setting, noted for its focus on “high tech and low life”— and that is Neuromancer.

Intrigued yet? Check out the rest of this week’s exciting list of Top Trending books here!